A man who asked not to be identified said he came home to find the dogs in his pig pen, attacking the animals. He thought they were wolves, and he got his gun.

The man said he first tried to frighten the dogs with a shovel. But when they wouldn't stop, he shot them and buried them in his yard. He said only one of three piglets survived the attack.

The man who shot the dogs said he eventually saw a missing dog poster about the three huskies that disappeared Sept. 29. Merrimack police said they got an anonymous tip about the incident last week following a big social medial push to find them.

"I can tell you in our discussion with that homeowner, he is completely distraught over what happened and has been very forthcoming in this investigation," said Chief Mark Doyle.

Neighbors said the huskies were in a gated backyard. No one answered the door when News 9 knocked.

According to neighbors, the owner loved the animals like children, and police said it has been a traumatic incident.

"And if there's one message that comes out of this whole thing, we have to be cognizant of what can happen if our dogs don't stay restrained and we don't have them in our control all the time," Doyle said.

Police said they believe there was no malicious intent, and no one will be charged. They said the dogs weren't wearing collars or anything to suggest they were domesticated, and the owner of the pigs was within his rights to defend them.

"He has the authority by law to protect his livestock in any way he can, and unfortunately, he lost two of his livestock during the attack by those animals," Doyle said.

Police said they were shocked by the outcome of the case and don't take it lightly, but given the circumstances, the case is closed.